John the Baptist was a giant of a man; the forerunner prophet to the ministry of Jesus. He was also Jesus’ cousin called to his destiny even from the womb. A blunt man, John called the Jews to repentance. To the Pharisees he said; “‘You brood of vipers, who warned you to flee from the wrath to come?'” (Matthew 3:7)

But even John had his down days – his days of struggle. After he was thrown in Herod’s prison he sent word to Jesus via one of his own disciples: “‘Are You the Expected One, or shall we look for someone else?'” (Matthew 11:3) Why did he say that? He above all others knew that Jesus was the Christ, the expected Messiah of Israel.

I wonder if John was saying to Jesus: “Hey, here I am in prison – do you notice that? What are you going to do about me? I announced you. If you are the Messiah, how about saving me? I also think he might have been saying: “I’m about to die here; I’d like to know somehow that your ministry will have made my death worth it.”

Jesus does no miracle to save John from martyrdom. He does not visit him in prison or even thank him for preparing the grand opening of his ministry. He simply sends back the message that he is out there doing the works he was destined to do.

That’s the very best each of us can do. If you are doing what God called you to do but now feel neglected and wonder where God is, think about John. He wondered too. Remember this then: “Whoever loses his life for My sake, he is the one who will save it.”(Luke 9:24) You may not understand it now but that’s the bigger plan.